Cairns council warns of fines in dengue fight

The Cairns Regional Council is warning people could be fined up to $22,000 if they do not clear up mosquito breeding sites.

It has issued five public health orders in recent days after finding mosquito larvae in containers of water, and in one case, in the folds of a tarpaulin.

Acting Mayor Terry James says if there is non-compliance, individuals may be fined $550 and corporations up to $2,750, with larger penalties possible if the matter goes to court.

"It was a tarp over a caravan that was collecting the fallen leaves that allowed for a depression in the centre and it was carrying the mosquito larvae and people wouldn't necessarily think of looking up on top of a caravan on a tarp," he said.

"We've got a team out there all the time, it's just that the reported dengue cases have ramped up.

"I think the exact number's around 102, so we've really got to step up to the plate to try to bring this number right back down again."